One of the stars of the football World Cup has been signed up to the English Premier League with the vanishing spray confirmed to be used in the coming season.

Used by referees to police free kicks, it was hailed as a major success on football's biggest stage.

Referee used the can to mark the position of the infringement and then sprayed a line on the ground where defenders could form their wall.

Encroachment by defenders inside the 10-yard limit has been a constant blight on the game.

The pitch markings were clear for TV and live audiences and disappeared quickly enough to not become obtrusive.

The EPL today announced that English referees would be able to use it from the start of the new season.

"At the Premier League we are open to developments that enhance the competition and it was clear from watching the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil that vanishing spray benefited referees, players, and all of those who watched the matches," Richard Scudamore, the Premier League chief executive, said.

"Having witnessed that, and following consultation with our clubs and the PGMOL [the Professional Game Match Officials Limited], we have decided to introduce it."

The use of the spray has been adopted by European governing body UEFA for the Champions League and Europa League and French football bosses have also adopted it for their competitions.

Last season the EPL introduced goal-line technology, provided by British company Hawk-Eye, to monitor the ball in tight scoring situations.

Manchester United open the EPL season with a home game against Swansea on August 16.